First cross-border outbreak of foodborne botulism in the European Union associated with the consumption of commercial dried roach (Rutilus rutilus)

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1039770
• Publication Date: 2023-01-04T16:06:00Z
• Authors: David Hendrickx; Carmen Varela Mar...; Matthias Contzen; Christiane Wagner...; Karl-Heinz Janke; Pablo Hernando Ji...; Susanne Massing; Jeanette Pichler; Petra Tichaczek-D...; Florian Burckhardt; Klaus Stark; Katharina Katz; Annette Jurke; Sebastian Thole; Rosa Carbó; Mariam Pascual de...; Milagros Nieto; María Jesús Zamora; Ana Sisó; Pilar Pallares Ga...; Sylvia Valdezate; Lars Schaade; Sylvia Worbs; Brigitte Gertrud ...; Christina Frank; Martin Bernhard D...
• Keywords: Botulism; Rutilus; Food poisoning

Botulism outbreaks due to commercial products are extremely rare in the European Union. Here we report on first international outbreak of foodborne botulism caused by salt-cured, dried roach ( Rutilus rutilus ). Between November and December 2016, an six type E cases from five unrelated households was documented Germany Spain. The involved persons Russian Kazakh backgrounds, all consumed unheated roach—a snack particularly favored Easter-European countries. implicated food batches had been distributed wholesaler were recalled Europe-wide outlets a supermarket chain other independent retailers. Of interest, very unlike disease which usually involves single strain or virus variant, different Clostridium botulinum strains toxin variants could be identified even patient's sample. Foodborne is but potentially life-threatening almost exclusively home-made artisan thus, limited individual few cases. As consequence, absolute exception this one within Additional likely prevented broad product recall, underscoring importance timely public health action. Challenges difficulties diagnostic epidemiological level encountered highlighted.